(Columbia Basin) – From young to old, people with diverse needs from around the Columbia Basin will benefit from 16 projects aimed at improving their social well-being. These projects are being funded by $1 million in Social Grants from Columbia Basin Trust.
“Our goal is to strengthen social well-being and address social issues in Basin communities,” said Aimee Ambrosone Columbia Basin Trust Director, Delivery of Benefits. “All of these projects are taking concrete actions that will have lasting effects, both on the individuals who access the services and on overall quality of life in our region.”
The Ktunaxa Nation Council is one of the grant recipients. They are developing and delivering a culturally appropriate Aboriginal justice system.
“This project will be based on the Medicine Wheel and use a holistic approach to address the areas of spiritual, emotional, mental and physical well-being,” said Debbie Whitehead, Social Sector Director. “Many of our Aboriginal young people are not only affected by developmental disabilities, they lack connection to culture and family. Without guidance and direction, they are vulnerable and easy prey to be welcomed into the crime community. The Ktunaxa Nation is committed to ensuring Aboriginal people involved in the justice system are not falling through the cracks. Our hope is this project will help to circumvent crime involvement and reduce recidivism by addressing the root causes of criminal behaviour.”
Another recipient is the Golden Family Center Society. It will increase its affordable counselling options to help people deal with challenging developmental and life concerns, including family issues, trauma, grief and loss.
“There is a high demand for affordable counselling services in Golden,” said Helena Oosthoek, Executive Director. “Our hope is that by introducing single-session walk-in counselling to our community, people can get some help when they feel their need is highest. Anyone can access walk-in counselling support with the intent that they will leave this single session with encouragement and a plan for action. Single-session counselling will not work for everyone, but it will be a welcome new option.”
See the backgrounder for a description of all 16 projects.
The Trust has distributed more than $6 million to improving social well-being in our communities since starting the Social Grants program in 2012.
For more information about the program, visit ourtrust.org/socialgrants. To learn all the ways the Trust supports social well-being in the Basin, visit ourtrust.org/social.
Columbia Basin Trust supports the ideas and efforts of the people in the Columbia Basin. To learn more about the Trust’s programs and initiatives, and how it helps deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the Basin, visit ourtrust.org or call 1.800.505.8998.
| Basin-wide | Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley | Train hospice volunteers at several hospices to expand and improve their abilities to support people who are experiencing losses related to trauma and suicide. | $16,325 |
| Golden | Golden Family Center Society | Deliver low-barrier adult counselling services (including single-session walk-in counselling) to address a growing wait-list and provide timely care to people dealing with immediate challenges or crisis situations. | $69,350 |
| Ktunaxa Nation | Ktunaxa Nation Council | Identify and research traditional justice systems, including kinship systems, of the many Aboriginal cultures the council serves. It will then assess the feasibility of, develop and deliver a culturally appropriate Aboriginal Justice System. The goal is to improve outcomes, reduce re-offense and promote healing and recovery for Aboriginal people involved in the mainstream justice system. | $114,405 |
| Revelstoke | Revelstoke Women’s Shelter Society | Deliver separate community-based peer-support counselling services for men and women experiencing isolation, anxiety, depression and other life challenges. Experts from the community will lead weekly counselling sessions and participants will be connected or referred to existing community resources when appropriate. | $32,195 |
| Revelstoke | School District #19 (Revelstoke) | Support the Revelstoke Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Collaborative partners to establish or connect to preventative, multi-sector early intervention initiatives for children and youth aged six to 24 who are experiencing mental health and substance use challenges. | $67,200 |
